A country singer, Steve Earle, has written a love song for Condoleezza Rice. New York Daily News, July 16th

Hey kid, ever been to Guantánamo?

“He's not the shotgun-dad type, he's the joking-around-to-the-point-he-scares-the-heck-out-of-them type.”

Jenna Bush on how her father treats her boyfriends. Vogue, August 2004

Six degrees of separation

Richard Holmes, a local historian in Derry, New Hampshire, has traced John Kerry's maternal lineage to an Irish immigrant, Reverend James McGregor, who is believed to have planted the first potatoes in America. Mr Holmes has also found a distant relationship to Britney Spears. Associated Press, July 17th

Cold spot in the south-west?

“The chance is that of a snowball in Gila Bend, Arizona.”

John McCain on rumours that Dick Cheney will be dropped from the ticket. San Francisco Chronicle, July 19th

Sad seconds

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, the slightly-used internet domain name KerryGephardt.com is now available for auction on eBay.”

The current price is $15.50. The owner of KerryEdwards.com wants to sell that site for $150,000.

Dirty boy

“I've told him he should go to West Virginia. He should shake hands with the people. He should be at their level and get a little coal dust on his hands, get some of that dirty dust on his hands and on his face and live in spirit with the working people of this country, the coal miners, and always remember that sovereignty rests, John Kerry, sovereignty rests with the people of this country.”

Robert Byrd, a veteran senator from West Virginia, gives advice to the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. “Meet the Press”, NBC, June 18th

Easy listening rumble

“It was a very ugly scene. She praised him [Michael Moore], and all of a sudden all bedlam broke loose.”

The Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas explains why Linda Ronstadt was asked to leave the hotel after the singer's remarks at a concert led to a near-riot by the audience. Associated Press, July 19th

Fund-losing

“I gotta go. Somebody just stole my wallet.”

Howard Dean, telephoning a speech to the Women's National Democratic Club, when his wallet was stolen. He ended his speech abruptly. New York Daily News, July 19th